Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the market exhibiting some bullishness, with several stocks posting sizable gains, with prices of 25 stocks rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged from trading in 59 securities compared with 51 on Thursday, but the volume of stocks changing hands declined 55 percent at a 6 percent greater value than the previous day.
The market closed with 9,369,749 shares trading valued at $95,805,466 compared with 20,842,200 units at $90,178,686 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 158,809 shares at $1,623,821 compared to 408,671 units at $1,768,210 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 244,090 units at $1,559,766 compared to 249,142 units at $1,555,971 on the previous day and December averaging 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.90 million shares for 30.9 percent of the day’s volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.44 million units for 26.1 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 514,757 units for 5.5 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,200.87 points to conclude trading at 360,257.92, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,549.21 points to finish at 323,274.84 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.15 points to 69.39.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden lost 99 cents and ended at $42 after a transfer of 15,602 units, Barita Investments increased 80 cents to $71.20 closed with an exchange of 1,437 stocks, Berger Paints climbed 46 cents to end at $6.01 with investors transferring just 485 shares. Caribbean Producers sank 40 cents in closing at $8.25 as 70,764 stock units passed through the market, Eppley rose $1 to close at $38.10 with investors trading 7,120 shares, First Rock Real Estate gained 31 cents to $8.80 after an exchange of 63,060 stock units. Jamaica Producers declined $1.15 to close at $21.66 in trading 13,320 units, Massy Holdings popped $2 to end at $90 with 292,850 stocks changing hands, NCB Financial fell 73 cents in closing at $67.27 with investors dealing in 34,226 shares. Pan Jamaica rallied $3.90 and ended at $50, with 17,066 stocks crossing the market, Proven Investments jumped $5.05 to $27 in switching ownership of 40,412 units, Sagicor Group popped $1 to close at $43 with investors swapping 16,955 stock units.
Scotia Group skidded 96 cents to end at $40.50 with a transfer of 8,633 shares, Seprod climbed $2.05 in closing at $85.55 while trading 2,922 stock units, Stanley Motta increased 55 cents and ended at $7, after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $8 and ended with 1,030 units crossing the exchange and Supreme Ventures dipped 50 cents to $24.50 with traders dealing in 228,609 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% share shed $1.90 to close at $17 while exchanging 8,250 shares, Eppley 7.75% dropped $4.95 to end at $18, with 1,000 stock units crossing the market. 138 Student Living preference share jumped $28.84 in closing at in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $221.12 with an exchange of a mere two units, Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % gained $125 and ended at $1,200 with 170 stocks clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% advanced $2 to $107 in an exchange of just two units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main & JSE USD Market, Juniors drop
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back just under a half of the gains posted on Thursday but the Main and the JSE USD markets rallied to close out the day higher than the opening, with the volume of stocks traded rising moderately, with trading ending with the value rising over the previous trading day and the market closed with prices of 39 shares gaining and 33 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,085.09 points to 336,104.77, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,200.87 points to 360,257.92, the JSE Main Index rose 1,549.21 points to 323,274.84. The Junior Market Index fell 42.00 points to 3,759.37 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 3.31 points to end at 247.45.
At the close of trading, 23,219,570 shares were exchanged in all three markets, moderately more than the 23,131,587 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $125.91 million, up from $96.67 million trading on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 670,997 shares for US$26,968 compared to 119,808 units at US$30,732 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 2.90 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.44 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund ending with 514,757 units.
In the Junior Market, Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with 1.36 million stocks, Regency Petroleum closed with 1.27 million shares and One Great Studio with 1.14 million units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Massy Holdings popped $2 to end at $90, Pan Jamaica rallying $3.90 to $50, Proven Investments advancing $5.05 to $27, Sagicor Group popping $1 to close at $43 as Seprod climbed $2.05 in closing at $85.55.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden with a loss of 99 cents in ending at $42, Jamaica Producers declining $1.15 to close at $21.66, Scotia Group skidding 96 cents to end at $40.50.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are, Caribbean Cream up 34 cents to close at $3.79, Iron Rock Insurance increasing 32 cents and ending at $2.42 and Mailpac Group advancing 25 cents to close at $2.28, the major losing stocks are AMG Packaging dipping 35 cents in closing at $2.60, Dolphin Cove losing 40 cents and ended at $18.60 and Regency Petroleum dropping 23 cents to $2.15.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share shed $1.90 to close at $17, Eppley 7.75% dropped $4.95 to end at $18, 138 Student Living preference share rose $28.84 in closing at $221.12, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% gained $125 and ended at $1200 clearing the market with 170 stocks and recently listed Sygnus Credit Investments c10.5% advanced $2 to $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The 
ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Solid gains for JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with price movements equally split with 17 stocks between those rising, declining and ending unchanged after a 28 percent plunge in the volume of stocks traded with 9 percent greater value than Wednesday, with trading in 51 securities compared with 52 on Wednesday.
The market closed with an exchange of 20,842,200 shares at $90,178,686 compared with 29,083,191 units at $83,058,622 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 408,671 shares at $1,768,210 compared with 559,292 units at $1,597,281 on Wednesday and trading month to date, averages 249,142 stock units for $1,555,971, compared with 240,532 stocks at $1,544,517 on the previous day and December ending with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 15.64 million shares and closed at a record high of $3.16, with 75 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million units for 12.6 percent of the day’s trade and Stanley Motta with 901,971 units for 4.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,622.28 points to conclude trading at 359,057.05, the JSE Main Index climbed 1,118.96 points to conclude trading at 321,725.63 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.40 points to wrap up trading at 69.24.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.8. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden rallied $2.49 to close at $42.99, with 1,579 stock units crossing the market, Berger Paints popped 33 cents to $5.55 in an exchange of 2,040 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $1.74 to end at $53, with 185 stocks crossing the market. First Rock Real Estate rose 49 cents in closing at $8.49 with a transfer of 5 units, General Accident gained 60 cents and ended at $5.35 after an exchange of 20,282 shares, Jamaica Producers fell 77 cents to $22.81 with investors swapping 32 stock units. Kingston Wharves increased 50 cents to end at $27 after a transfer of 2,483 units, Mayberry Group climbed $1.16 in closing at $7.67 with investors trading 6,624 stocks, Pan Jamaica skidded $3.89 and ended at $46.10 after exchanging 41 units. 
Proven Investments rose 45 cents to close at $21.95 with investors dealing in 4,011 stocks, Sagicor Group sank $1.40 to $42, with 50 shares changing hands, Scotia Group advanced $1.46 and ended at $41.46, with an exchange of 40,442 stock units. Seprod declined $3.30 in closing at $83.50 in trading 265,879 shares and Wisynco Group popped 45 cents to end at $20.98 as 21,488 stocks passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share rallied $2.84 to close at $18.90 as investors exchanged 1,000 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $4.99 to $45 and closed with an exchange of 550 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% shares dropped $9.99 to close at $105 while exchanging 1,081 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Increased trading pushes Main Market higher
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with a 194 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded rising valued 41 percent more than on Tuesday, with trading in 52 securities compared with 55 on Tuesday, with prices of 20 stocks rising, just 10 declining and 22 ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 29,083,191 shares for $83,058,622 up from 9,890,713 units at $58,907,474 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 559,292 shares at $1,597,281 compared to 179,831 units at $1,071,045 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 240,532 units at $1,544,517 compared with 221,971 units at $1,541,445 on the previous day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 16.97 million shares for 58.3 percent of total volume that was followed by Transjamaican Highway with 7.14 million units for 24.5 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 2.23 million units for 7.7 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,716.13 points to settle at 357,434.77, the JSE Main Index rallied 944.29 points to finish at 320,606.67 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.16 points to culminate at 68.84.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $1.99 to $51.26 with 35,226 stocks changing hands, Guardian Holdings lost $5 to close at $370 with investors dealing in 3,316 shares, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.93 in closing at $23.58 with 8,446 units clearing the market. JMMB Group popped 50 cents to $24.50 in an exchange of 22,800 stocks, Mayberry Group dipped 57 cents and ended at $6.51after 7,596 units passed through the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities sank 43 cents to end at $9.10 with an exchange of 3,000 shares. Pan Jamaica advanced 54 cents in closing at $49.99 and closed with an exchange of 15,228 stocks, 
Sagicor Group rose $2.40 to end at $43.40 with a transfer of 12,372 stocks, Salada Foods rallied 64 cents and ended at $3.86 with 1,082 shares crossing the exchange. Scotia Group gained 49 cents to close at $40 in switching ownership of 257,885 units, Seprod climbed $2.50 to $86.80 with investors trading 54,910 stocks and Wisynco Group rose 33 cents and ended at $20.53 after a transfer of 32,169 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share skidded 72 cents to close at $192.28 with investors swapping 5 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments c10.5% gained $14.99 in closing at a record high of $114.99 after an exchange of 51,300 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE markets recorded gains on Wednesday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange put in some solid gains in trading on Wednesday as the Junior Market JSE USD market popped moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks exchanged falling, with the value traded jumping sharply over that on Wednesday, with prices of 41 shares rising and 23 declining.
The market closed trading with, the JSE Combined Market Index rising 909.96 points to close at 333,306.71, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,716.13 points to 357,434.77, the JSE Main Index rallied 944.29 points to 320,606.67. The Junior Market Index popped 2.78 points to end at 3,725.60 and the JSE USD Market Index inched 1.51 points higher to end the day at 241.17.
At the close of trading, 31,607,536 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 29,690,680 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $90.38 million, down from $120.94 million on …day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 152,413 shares for US$68,498 compared to 147,004 units at US$5,094 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 16.97 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 7.14 million stock units and Wigton Windfarm with 2.23 million units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 617,000 shares followed by Express Catering with 217,455 units and Fontana with 179,930 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Jamaica Producers with an increase of $1.93 in closing at $23.58, Sagicor Group rising $2.40 to end at $43.40 and Seprod climbing $2.50 to $86.80.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Caribbean Cement dropping $1.99 to $51.26 and Guardian Holdings, which lost $5 to close at $370.
The Junior Market ended with major price increases in Access Financial up 52 cents to end at $23.20, AMG Packaging popping 56 cents to $3.12, Knutsford Express popping $2.90 in closing at $12.40 and Main Event increasing 88 cents to end at $17, with the major losing stock being ISP Finance that skidded $7.78 in closing at $22.22. and
In the preference segment, no stock traded with a notable price on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE Main Market drop
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 65 percent and the value jumping 27 percent more than on Monday, with trading in 55 securities compared with 60 on Monday and ended with prices of 20 stocks rising, 22 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The market closed on Tuesday with an exchange of 9,890,713 shares valued at $58,907,474 compared to 28,085,342 units at $46,276,168 on Monday.
Trading averaged 179,831 shares at $1,071,045 compared with 468,089 units at $771,269 on Monday and month to date, an average of 221,971 units at $1,541,445, compared to 224,736 units at $1,572,318 on the previous day and December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 2.84 million shares for 28.7 percent of the volume with Transjamaican Highway following with 1.62 million units for 16.4 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.17 million units for 11.8 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 1,452.88 points to close at 355,718.64, the JSE Main Index dipped 647.61 points to wrap up trading at 319,662.38 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.31 points to culminate at 69.00.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden popped 50 cents in closing at $40.50 while exchanging 1,772 units, Eppley gained 60 cents to close at $37.10 with traders dealing in 9 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1.01 and ended at $37.54 with 6,641 shares clearing the market. GraceKennedy rose 33 cents to end at $77.28 in an exchange of 70,822 stock units, Guardian Holdings climbed $3 to close at $375, with 460 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers dropped $2.05 to $21.65 as investors exchanged 46,402 units. Kingston Properties fell 41 cents to end at $7.02 with a transfer of 3,479 stocks, Kingston Wharves skidded 55 cents in closing at $26.40 after exchanging 51,925 stock units, Margaritaville increased 45 cents to close at $17.50, with 76 shares crossing the market. Mayberry Group sank $1.12 and ended at $7.08 in switching ownership of 1,600 units, 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities rallied 43 cents to $9.53 with investors trading 576 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $1 and ended at $90 after an exchange of 1,239 stock units. NCB Financial advanced $2.79 in closing at $68 with investors swapping 80,317 shares, Sagicor Group lost 70 cents to end at $41, with 55,710 units crossing the market, Scotia Group declined $1.49 to close at $39.51 with investors dealing in 33,778 stocks. Seprod popped $2.30 to $84.30 in an exchange of 4,656 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments sank 52 cents to end at $10.36 after trading 113,303 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share skidded $2.64 in closing at $16.26 with an exchange of 6,125 stocks. Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $7.99 to $49.99 after closing with an exchange of 435 units and Transjamaican Highway 8% fell 33 cents and ended at $2.17 in trading 68,719 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks pulled down all JSE markets
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed trading on Tuesday with losses in all three markets after the Junior Market pushed higher in the morning session but fell in the latter part of trading as the market ended with the number of stocks that were exchanged fell, with the value jumping sharply over that on Tuesday as rising and declining stocks were even at 35 each.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 731.57 points to 332,396.75, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,452.88 points to 355,718.64, the JSE Main Index shed 647.61 points to end at 319,662.38. The Junior Market Index dropped 14.18 points to settle at 3,722.82 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 1.07 points to end at 239.66.
At the close of trading, 29,690,680 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,430,685 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $120.94 million, up from $67.96 million on Monday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 147,004 shares for US$5,094 compared to 317,598 units at US$259,958 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 2.84 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.62 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.17 million units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 15.91 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 711,974 units and Regency Petroleum with 603,202 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are NCB Financial advanced $2.79 in closing at $68 and Seprod popped $2.30 to $84.30.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1.01 and ended at $37.54, Guardian Holdings climbed $3, Jamaica Producers dropped $2.05 to $21.65, Mayberry Group sank $1.12 and ended at $7.08, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $1 and ended at $90 and Scotia Group declined $1.49 to close at $39.51.
Only one Junior Market stocks closed with solid gains on Tuesday as ISP Finance jumped $7.36 and ended at $30. The major losing Junior Market stocks include AMG Packaging dropping 60 cents to close at $2.56, Iron Rock Insurance dipping 41 cents to close at $2.10 and Knutsford Express falling $2.89 in closing at $9.50.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share skidded $2.64 in closing at $16.26 and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $7.99 to $49.99.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.9 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading end mixed on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 269 percent with a 48 percent lower value than on Friday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 48 on Friday, with prices of 26 stocks rising, 23 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 28,085,342 shares being traded for $46,276,168 versus 7,609,408 units at $89,452,687 on Friday.
Trading averaged 468,089 shares at $771,269 compared with 158,529 units at $1,863,598 on Friday and month to date, an average of 224,736 units at $1,572,318, compared to 205,969 units at $1,634,096 on the previous trading day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 18.65 million shares for 66.4 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.92 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.16 million stocks for 4.1 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million shares for 4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 577.72 points to close at 357,171.52, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,065.68 points to lock up trading at 320,309.99 and the JSE Financial Index sank 0.06 points to culminate at 69.31.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden fell $1 to $40 with investors swapping 70 stock units, Berger Paints dropped 87 cents in closing at $5.22, with 10,815 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement rose $1.68 to close at $53 after investors traded 1,219 stocks. Caribbean Producers lost 32 cents to end at $8.28 after an exchange of 49,479 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $1.45 and ended at $38.55 with an exchange of 5,209 stocks, GraceKennedy advanced 55 cents to $76.95 after 23,988 shares were traded. Guardian Holdings sank $17 in closing at $372 with investors dealing in 218 stock units, Jamaica Broilers popped 45 cents and ended at $33.45 with a transfer of 18,508 units, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.70 to close at $23.70, with 57,546 stocks clearing the market. 
JMMB Group dipped 94 cents to end at $23.76 in an exchange of 36,987 units, Margaritaville increased $1.55 in closing at $17.05 with traders dealing in 7 shares, NCB Financial declined $2.78 to $65.21 in switching ownership of 14,720 stock units. 138 Student Living rallied 68 cents and ended at $4.18 after 120,803 shares passed through the market, Pan Jamaica shed 55 cents to close at $49.45 in trading 2,198 units, Proven Investments sank 54 cents to end at $21.40, with 4,956 stocks crossing the market. Sagicor Group shed 30 cents to $41.70 with an exchange of 4,824 stock units, Salada Foods dropped 55 cents to close at $3.30, with 107,023 shares crossing the market and Scotia Group gained $2 in closing at $41 after a transfer of 3,868 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 30 cents and ended at $6.30 with investors trading 406 stocks, 138 Student Living preference share rallied 72 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $193 in an exchange of 28 stock units, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost $30 in closing at $90 with investors transferring 8 shares and Transjamaican Highway 8% increased 32 cents to $2.50, with 16,182 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume surges on the JSE markets
The market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed mixed in trading on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market edged moderately higher and the Main Market major indices recorded declines and gains after trading ended with the volume of stocks exchanged surging, with the value traded falling from that on Friday and resulting in 38 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 934.48 points to end at 333,128.32, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 577.72 points to 357,171.52, the JSE Main Index shed 1,065.68 points to close at 320,309.99. The Junior Market Index popped 7.42 points to 3,737.00 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 3.41 points to end the day at 240.73.
At the close of trading, 36,430,685 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 12,488,845 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $67.96 million, down from $97.58 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 317,598 shares for US$259,958 compared to 649,338 units at US$15,760 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 18.65 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.92 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund was next with 1.16 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Express Catering led trading with 3.37 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 1.43 million units and Dolla Financial with 1.05 million stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement rose $1.68 to close at $53, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.70 to close at $23.70, Margaritaville increased $1.55 in closing at $17.05and Scotia Group gained $2 in closing at $41.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden fell $1 to $40, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $1.45 and ended at $38.55, Guardian Holdings sank $17 in closing at $372, NCB Financial declined $2.78 to $65.21.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Express Catering increased 36 cents to $3.97 KLE Group rallied 45 cents to end at $2.30.and Knutsford Express advanced 39 cents to close at $12.39, with the major losing stock being Dolphin Cove fell 50 cents and ended at $19.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost $30 in closing at $90.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.9 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Express Catering pops into ICTOP10
Paramount Trading dropped out of ICInsider.com following an earnings downgrade to 12 cents per share, with half year results continuing to fall coming from a fall off in revenues. Express Catering joins the ICInsider.com TOP 10 following an earnings upgrade to 55 cents per share and the stock price closing down at $3.61 on Friday in a week that the Main and Junior markets fell one percent during the week but there were some stocks with relatively sizable price changes.
There was just one stock with a notable gain in the Junior Market TOP 10 and four with sizable losses while in the Main Market, only one stock rose with a gain of three percent and 7 declined, with sizable moves by five. Junior Market listed Access Financial, rose 11 percent to $22.68 but Caribbean Cream fell a hefty 23 percent to close at $3.41 followed by a 7 percent fall by Jamaican Teas to $2.40, while Lasco Distributors lost 6 percent to close a $3.85 and Paramount Trading fell 4 percent to $1.54.
The Main Market General Accident dropped 17 percent to $4.75, followed by a 12 percent fall in Margaritaville to $15.50, 138 Student Living fell 11 percent to $3.50, while Key Insurance is down 6 percent to $2.19 and Caribbean Producers slipped 5 percent to $8.60.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 13.6 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.2, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 311 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 185 percent over the same time frame.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 31 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market, there are 13 stocks, or 27 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 50, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks, currently.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes 
some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
TOP 10 Stocks, Daily Trading, Jamaican Stocks, Junior Market, Jamaican Stock Exchange,
